International Documentary Association Names Richard Ray Perez Executive Director
Filmmaker takes over for Simon Kilmurry, who held the role since 2015
Brian Welk | May 12, 2021 @ 8:00 AM
IDA - Richard Ray Perez
The International Documentary Association (IDA) has named filmmaker Richard Ray Perez as its executive director, taking over for the outgoing Simon Kilmurry.
Kilmurry announced in November he would be stepping down in mid-2021 after serving with the IDA since 2015. Perez will take over the role immediately.
“Rick” Perez is a documentary filmmaker known for the films “Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election” and “Cesar’s Last Fast,” which premiered at Sundance in 2014 and was named one of 20 essential films to capture the Latinx experience as part of a New York Times feature. He’s also a nonfiction film strategist focused on the convergence of storytelling, thought leadership and themes vital to contemporary societies.
IDA taps Richard Ray Perez as executive director In Los Angeles, the International Documentary Association (IDA) has announced the appointment of Richard Ray Perez as its new executive director.
He steps into his new role immediately, succeeding Simon Kilmurry who . May 12, 2021
In Los Angeles, the International Documentary Association (IDA) has announced the appointment of Richard Ray Perez as its new executive director.
He steps into his new role immediately, succeeding Simon Kilmurry who served in the position since 2015.
Perez was most recently the director of acquisitions and distribution strategies at GBH | WORLD Channel where he curated and acquired documentary film projects for the platform’s three original series.
‘Shooting Midnight Cowboy’ Doc in the Works From Nancy Buirski Based on New Book
“This is a film about a masterpiece and the moment and the much wider sociological, political and human canvas on which it takes place,” Buirski said
Umberto Gonzalez | May 6, 2021 @ 10:07 AM
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Nancy Buirski and her documentary production company Augusta Films, have acquired the film rights to adapt Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times best-selling author Glenn Frankel’s latest behind-the-scenes exploration “Shooting Midnight Cowboy: Art Sex, Loneliness, Liberation, and the Making of a Dark Classic.”
“This is a film about a masterpiece and the moment and the much wider sociological, political and human canvas on which it takes place. As dark as it is at times, it is laced with humor and hope,” Buirski stated Thursday, adding, “Re-watching the film I was reminded how beautifully it holds up after 50+ years. I’d forgotten how tender it is.”
Steven Spielberg Leads $2 Million in Funding to Support Films Telling Diverse Jewish Stories
New foundation Jewish Story Partners will be led by Roberta GrossmanBrian Welk | April 15, 2021 @ 11:00 AM
Getty Images/Jewish Story Partners
A new L.A.-based film foundation called Jewish Story Partners launched Thursday with the goal of expanding the range of stories reflecting Jewish lives, with Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw backing the organization.
Jewish Story Partners supports independent films that give fresh, nuanced perspectives to tell a diverse spectrum of Jewish experiences, histories and cultures, and the group was also founded with the mission of addressing the glaring gap of funding in Jewish stories. The film foundation hopes to explore untold narratives and re-cast familiar ones, preserve historical memory, surprise with new ideas, challenge established positions, confront difficult realities and breach artistic frontiers.
Deportees Welcome.
Before this, Teng was previously a journalist for
The New York Times, where she received an Emmy nomination, and other awards, for her work. Previously, she worked as an independent filmmaker and reporter covering India for the
Times, the
Agence France-Presse.
“Poh brings a wealth of documentary experience as a commissioning editor, producer and journalist to IDA,” said Simon Kilmurry, IDA’s executive director, in a statement. As previously reported, Kilmurry will step down from the IDA in mid-2021. “Her vision will be essential as IDA continues to build its support of documentary makers both nationally and internationally.”